I spent much of today going through last night’s post comments, and making sure that people I’d inadvertently blocked on Twitter were unblocked.
But, uh, the thing is … after going through about 250 links, I’d only actually blocked three of them. Everyone else was “just in case” or something like that. I thought, gee, maybe I didn’t make the instructions for finding out if you’d been blocked clear enough.
But the other thing is, I ain’t even mad. Because I did that today, I saw a couple hundred real people’s faces, and got a tiny little glimpse into what all of those people have been doing with their lives. It made me feel connected in an unexpected way (it put the “social” in “social media”), and though it was time consuming, it turned out to be a nice way to take a break from doing actual work.
And it gave me an idea: Why don’t you introduce yourself to me and other WWdN readers?
Leave a comment in this post that tells us a little bit about yourself, if you feel comfortable sharing that sort of thing. Don’t post personal stuff that could be too revealing or hurt your privacy, but maybe share your first name, if you’re married, have kids, what sort of work you do, and maybe something that you like.
The idea is that, when you see the actual, real, human person behind a screen name or twitter handle or whatever, it’s a tangible reminder that we are all people on the other end of the connection. We’re people with families and jobs and hobbies and passions and hopes and fears and we all live on the same piece of rock, hurtling through space.
Of course, you don’t have to do this, and I can’t stress enough how important it is that you protect your personal information, but since I enjoyed the social experience of feeling connected to actual humans, maybe you will, too.
Or maybe you won’t. I’m not the boss of you.
Hi, Will. (And everyone else!) I’m Amy, 42, living in Baltimore. I’m a social media junkie, who loves good TV, peonies, and good linen. I am raising two teenagers – a Steam-addicted, asperger’s 13-yr-old boy and a agender, lesbian 15-yr-old. We’re three misfits in a city of misfits, enjoying the journey.
I do IT by day and rewrite mythology at night (long story). Perpetually bad at money and a love of corsets. One day I will marry Lara Croft. Or my best friend. They’re both kind of cool.
Love of corsets and bad at money go hand in hand for me. They are a weakness I happily indulge. Your family sounds rad as heck, Amy! Maybe marry everyone? X
My trek began in the depth of a dungeon trying to keep my shinnies after encountering the aberration known as the ‘Rust Monster’. That sojourn was soon followed with a wander about the lands of Faerun and soon to brave the pits of Ravenloft. Some much need relaxation was found laying on the knoll above my best friend’s hole attempting to learn Sindarin. A jump to a new system found me behind the helm of my Mad Dog and one left torso laser away from my Bloodname. These days you can find me making tech runs between Houstown and New Lazlo doing my best to dodge the CS, and steering clear of the rifts…
Hi,
I live in the Greater Seattle area and am a supporter of Seattle Sounders FC. Outside of that, I always attend ECCC and PAX Prime.
My wife of 15 years loves to knit, and it helped her stay (relatively) sane while getting her PhD.
I’m Marc, a former Air Force weather observer/forecaster, and I’ve been online since the old days of dial up modems and BBS’s. Second Edition D&D was my gateway substance into gaming. The dictionary entry for ‘Tsundoku’ (the Japanese word for the new books that pile up on our shelves) should have a picture of me and my unread books as part of the example.
I’m Andy, I’m British and and English teacher in Mexico and I have a lovely Mexican girlfriend. I love reading urban fantasy, and I’ve dived back into writing with this year’s NaNoWriMo. You can find me on Twitter at @KosmopoliteATD.
Big fan of you will, as you’re always willing to put good things out into the world. Thanks for that.
Ooh, urban fantasy? Can you give me any examples / recommendations? I’m delighted to see English teachers and librarians in this comments section; I’m in good company as a word nerd!
Hey, there! Sorry, just saw your comment.
I’d recommend Laurell K. Hamilton, Jim Butcher, Michael A. Stackpole and Neil Gaiman (Neverwhere, American Gods…),
I’ll buzz you on Twitter. We can chat some more, fellow geek! 🙂
Hi, my name is Kaela. I’m a scientist, a soccer supporter, a Star Trek nerd, a rock climber. I write a food blog. I work as a pharmacokineticist (go ahead, Google it. I’ll wait). I’m self-employed, which is both awesome and challenging, but mostly awesome.
Perhaps my favorite job of all time was working at my small-town 2-screen movie theater all through high school. That’s the theater in which I saw Stand By Me. That theater is now a liquor store. [Moment of silence, please.]
I love the Twitter. I love how people who don’t understand Twitter refer to it as “the Twitter.” I love that we get to take a peak into so many lives that we would otherwise never see. We truly live in amazing times.
Which soccer team do you support? We talking MLS, Premier League, Bundesliga? All 3?
Mainly New England Revolution [weep for me] and US National team. But I’m a fan of all good soccer, so I watch some EPL, La Liga, Champion’s League, etc.
My name is Brian. I am married with a 13 yr old dog and 2 young cats living in Manchester, NH. My job is an IT Support Specialist and I’m a rare fan of both Star Trek and Star Wars.
I’m Dena, Single and just graduated college. I’m hoping to one day produce big science-fiction/fantasy films.Oh, and I’m starting to get into running, in the hopes of finishing a marathon in the future.
My husband ran the NYC Marathon after 50 (overweight–not at all a runner or fitness guy), my brother did it after 40. You can DO THIS!
I’m Sara, married, with a 9yo stepson and an almost 1yo daughter. I’m a nonprofit attorney working to end violence against women. I’m a big nerd. We live in Kansas. I found your blog in 2008. You had surgery, took a bath, and had a wicked nosebleed. For no identifiable reason, that story pops into my head from time to time.
It’s funny how the little things stay with you 🙂 Thank you for the work you do. Someone close to me was attacked by their partner the other night. I’ve been wondering what i can do in a volunteer capacity for some months… I think it’s time i act on that.
Hi, I’m Derek. I’m married and live with my wife in Seattle. I work at Microsoft Studios. We have a cat. We enjoy all kind of board and video games. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Hi Wil, and Happy Holidays to you and everyone here! I’m Julia, originally from Los Angeles, but now, thanks to technology I’m able to do my job in broadcast transmission services from pretty much anywhere… So I’m now living in a converted barn on a sparsely populated island north of Puget Sound. 🙂
Good idea! Hello Wil, hello everybody.
I’m Anna, I’m 27, and I’m English but living in Wales. I’m far better with words than with numbers, steadily employed in a job I don’t love, and terminally single. Lately I’ve been rediscovering how much I like people, so I thought I’d pop my head in and say hello to a few!
Hi Anna! I was terminally single at 27, too. And then I stumbled upon some guy who inadvertently changed my world. I still don’t love my job, but things get better and individual people are actually fantastic!
Thanks Chrissy! Yeah, one of the things I like about life is how quickly everything can change. Who knows where I’ll be this time next year. Even if i don’t find one special someone, there will be loads of awesome people to meet along the way 🙂 my regards to your lucky guy!
Hi, I’m Clare, better known as Bathia Mapes online. I’m an admin at fark.com. I live in Oregon, have an adult son & love to go beachcombing. I also collect old cookbooks and your lovely wife was kind enough to send me me 3 of them.
Dianne, Austrailan, Single, all round geek. Game Lover, Star Trek fan.
This year I have embraced the fact that some part of me will never grow up and why should I.
Jessi. I live in the Polar Bear Capital of the World! (Churchill, Manitoba, Canada) I am the administrative assistant of a school, but am currently on my 2 week Christmas vacation (one of the perks of working in a school!). I enjoy video games, baking and watching Netflix, but recently my time is occupied with my 5 month old Golden Retriever, Capt. Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds 🙂
Christina, “it’s complicated,” 36, and live in Portland, Oregon. I just finished my Masters degree in Psychology 2 weeks ago (yay!). I am an avid (rabid?) MINI Cooper enthusiast, a lover of (most) things fuzzy, and have two cats. I am also a large geek, having played one MMO or another since 1998, as well as the Diablo, WC and SC series. I am a lover of Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Sherlock and Top Gear; I also love wimpier things like period pieces and historical biographies. I don’t have much patience for anything romantic, but will be instantly captivated by Princess Bride (book or movie form). I am a major introvert who prefers being curled up on the couch with a book to crowds, who prefers tea to coffee, wine to beer, etc., etc., etc.
Hi. 🙂
Hey Wil and Wil-fans. I actually do have something interesting to share with you, Wil, and I guess this is the best place to do it so I know you’ll read it. I’m Susan and I’m a middle school teacher in Florida. I’ve always loved games and love Tabletop. This year I started a tabletop gaming club at my school. It’s a small school and there are only 24 kids in my class. I thought 3 or 4 would sign up, but 20 of them did. They love it and I enjoy sharing my love of games with them and it was sort of inspired by you. Thanks!
Well hello there, neighbor! I’m 35, an exec asst for an entertainment company in Burbank, CA. I enjoy living history events like Dicken’s Fair and shop at Clockwork Coture. I was very happy to see their shoot featuring your and Anne’s comely faces!
It’s neat to see how many other stitchers follow your blog, though perhaps not surprising. I also do other various crafts and play games of all sorts – mobile, tabletop, video, live action, card – all fun! (You crossed the street in front of me once while I was playing Ingress at St. Joe’s. Anne saw me see you; you were engrossed in conversation)
I enjoy a good wine, but alas, love of beer eludes me. I’ve seen you at Tony’s Dart’s Away a time or two, but I go for the Disco Fries.
Thanks for asking after us, your motley band of followers!
My name is Tara and I live in a small town in central Pennsylvania. I really enjoy your blog, Wil, and I wanted to let you know that you’ve inspired me to take more chances in my own creative ventures and personal life. Knowing that even successful people struggle with fear and depression and exhaustion somehow makes it easier to manage my own life. In the last year, I co-founded an improv comedy group, and I fell in love! And I have a dear little fur-baby dog named Zoe.
What a great year, Tara! Improv has the same draw / danger as fire for me… I’m scared of getting burned but it’s just so compelling! Maybe one day I’ll jump in with both feet. Sounds like you have, and I hope 2015 I’d even better. X
Krystal. Happily single (with a house full of reptiles). Astronomer. Follower of Christ. Also love reading/writing/drawing SF&F, tabletop RPGs, instrumental music, baking/cooking. Working to control depression/anxiety. Due to all of the above, I rarely feel like I fit in anywhere, but that’s just a fact of [my] life. Trying to be the best person I can be.
I’m Todd. Husband and father of two, nerd and geek, United Methodist pastor. I am a passive fan of many things sci-fi and fantasy. Being in a small, rural Oklahoma town, I’m a frustrated RPGamer (not enough folks interested in being associated with “demony” things like that).
I’m Teresa, aka Metz (cool story behind that nickname too if anyone’s interested). I’m 44 with spouse & 2 kids 17 yr old daughter and 12 yr old son. Grew up in Michigan, lived briefly in San Diego, now reside on Long Island preparing to head back to Michigan. We’ve got 3 cats (our recent adoptee Juliette was on Rescue Pets Are Awesome recently) I’ve got an average day job but my real passion is the crisis hotline I volunteer for. Someone helped me out of a dark place once, so I’m paying it forward. 🙂 I’m also known as the “cool mom” with my kids’ friends, just because I play Pokemon on the DS with near obsession and can debate them about team rosters and gym leader strategies.And currently I’m counting down the time until the next episode of BBC Radio’s Good Omens is available.
Hi Wil, I’m Jon Knutson, a 52-year-old old-school geek (as readers of my blog Random Acts of Geekery — http://randomactsofgeekery.blogspot.com — can attest to), married with two adopted kids, three cats and one dog. Due to a series of unfortunate events I currently work at Walmart, although I have a background in graphic design.
Oh man, I understand that. A series of unfortunate events lead me to two years at Walmart. I believe in your ability to get out again!
Matt. Married. Met wife through d&d. I love to grill. Thus gaming and grilling
My name is Jim and my family and I live in south-central Wisconsin. I am married to a beautiful Belarussian lady, and we have a 5 year daughter who likes the word “no” too much. I grew up on Trek and TNG was my favorite of the series. I also grew up on Star Wars I have a large oil painting which my mother bought for me when I was you of the original poster, I think. I loves it!!
I have been playing RPG’s for over 20 years, specifically Dungeons and Dragons is my first love and am still playing it today. Although the FFG Star Wars System is now definitively my second favorite system.
I am a web developer working for a small county government and my wife and I own a yoga studio. My wife teaches and my merely manage. I am also an aspiring writer.
I have a BLog, but I have not posted much lately since I have been very busy. I am very liberal as Unitarian Universalist and a member of the Green Party.
TableTop is the Shizbomb!! For reals!!
I’m Holly. I’m married to a lovely man; some say he resembles Mr. Wil Wheaton. 🙂 I’ve got a beautiful and gregarious little girl. We spend our time having adventures and creating memories. We have two fabulous dogs and two silly cats; all but one were rescues. I love coffee and I’m passionate about people helping people.
Hey all. My name is Jamison. I live up in beautiful and (very) cold Minnesota. I’ve got two wonderful boys from my first marriage, and an adult stepson from my second. I tell people I’m into beer, running, and geeky stuff. I’m a regular home brewer, and craft beer fan. I run regularly, and have managed to plod through a couple of marathons. On the geeky front, I’m into tabletop gaming, video gaming, comics, sci-fi, fantasy, tech gadgets, etc.
Hi Everyone. I’m Jennefer, live just outside Seattle, I’m in IT for a forestry company, married with a 2-year-old son and two cats, Merry and Pippin. Star Wars, LOTR, TNG, Firefly, basically an all-around fantasy/sci-fi nerd. Go Seahawks!
Woohoo, go Hawks! Your cats names are FANTASTIC btw 🙂
I’m Steve, semi-retired after 34 years in the Australian Air Force to write, travel and find the creative nerd I left in school to have a career. My wife, Colleen, and I have two wonderful kids who have started their own families. Since I retired we moved in the creative heart of our city (Newcastle), travelled the Pacific Rim to attend a Vegas wedding (our son’s) and started playing Carcasonne thanks to Tabletop. @SeattleMaddog
I’m Scott. I’m married to a wonderful lady and we have a daughter we dote on. I’m a video game designer working in Austin, and if I didn’t love making games so much I’d try opening a small restaurant because I love cooking for people.
If there’s a market for video game restaurants anywhere in the world, it’s Austin! It’s one of the many places stateside i really want to visit.
Hi all! I’m Jill, widowed mother of two adult daughters. I make computer chips in the day job. Read, write, and play with my horses, dogs, and cats in the time off from the day job. Currently recuperating from eye surgery so spending more time than usual reading books and/or internets.
I’m Lizz. I’m an insurance representative. Not married, no kids, but I do have the cutest 18 month old nephew. And 10 of the absolute, honest-to-goodness, best cats in the world (8 of them outdoor/garage cats… long story, but I promise I’m not a crazy cat lady who doesn’t actually take care of her animals). Plus a dachshund and pomeranian that I also adore and live with, but cannot claim them as my own.
I’m Kevin G, long time reader, never commenter. My family and I follow Wil via Tabletop and watch episodes regularly – taking up tabketop games again.
Ironically I use to work in the table top industry, my wife still does (doing contract work), and we are friends with many in the industry.
We are also fans from the STNG days and I’m a huge fan of Wil’s audiobooks which help make my commute manageable.
My wife and two girls and I are into scifi, fantasy, and LEGO.
I’m Pamela, I live in Florida just outside of Tampa. I’ve been married 17 years, have a 13 year old daughter, and I teach high school English. I love watching movies, Orphan Black, and rereading the Harry Potter books. I’m a breast cancer survivor and every day I try to be a little better than yesterday.
Eric from Pensacola, I’m single and own a landscaping business. I love everything classic (cars, rock, etc) and I’m a hopeless Trekkie and Stephen King fan, weird combo huh? lol
Hail and well met! My name is Carol and Wil I have no idea whether or not you blocked me but I hope you didn’t! I am a widow in my mid-60’s, living alone and still working full time. On my time I keep in touch with my two kids and one granddaughter, read, play games, read, have a 2nd Life, read, take online classes, watch a little Tv and did I mention that I read? As for the rest, you can see my G+ profile.
Hi, Awesome idea! (being a huge introvert, even online, sort of shocked I am posting. 😀 gulp)
I’m Susan, married to a wonderful man who is currently on stress leave from work (depression and anxiety), and have an 18yo old son with NLD who lives for TableTop episodes and your Twitter posts.
I am a manager of a trailer park, we love board games, computer games, social games, and TV & movies. (Anything involving sitting. 😉 )
I think it is your posts with your struggles that has given my husband “permission” to accept help. So, thank you!!
hiya Wil! and everyone! I’m Lorene. I’m 44 and a mom of 4, 3 over the age of 18. I classify myself as a scifi/fantasy freak because there aren’t very many shows/books/games that I don’t like! I’m play rpgs, tabletop games, and a few video games. I read yours and Anne’s stuff all the time, a lot of it really resonates.
I am Sherrie and I am from Colorado. I became a Star Trek fan because of you. I started RPG in college and have started teaching my kids with Munchkin. I reconnected with you on Leverage and found your blog through Twitter. Thank you for be honest. While I may not always agree with your point of view I learned a long time ago, you need people outside of your view points that make you uncomfortable to keep you thinking. I will not post anything hateful in response as I need to think not be hurtful. Thank you for keeping me thinking!
Oh, where to begin, let’s see. My name is Chuck and I live in Kansas. I am a disabled veteran (87-95), cancer survivor and I have been working as a firefighter for the last 10 years. I have three grown children. I have been married to my very patient wife for the better part of 19 years, our 20th will be next June. I have to admit I am a huge fan of Wil Wheaton, and a huge D&D Junkie. I even met you once for like thirty second at the Kansas City Con, you signed my Vandal Eyes IPA recipe. I was totally at a loss for words and felt like I was a kid using all my self control to not squee, yeah I know. We even went to a taping of the Wil Wheaton Project, again I wanted to squee (I know). My wife and I got reintroduced to table top games thanks to Table Top, you’ve turned her into a Munchkin Junkie, She actually has over 600 door cards alone, no repeats. I am a homebrewer and just built a custom electric home brewing rig, it’s ugly as hell, but it works awesome. Finally, Wil, thanks for being you.
Thank you for your service, Chuck!
I’m Chrissy. I’m a copywriter living with my boyfriend of 4 years. I game fiercely with all the table top games I can get my grubby little hands on, watch nerdTV, and have a holiday addiction (Halloween and Christmas).
I’m Heather, Canadian, and I’m 37 on December 26th. I am on disability due to severe depression and PTSD, along with fibromyalgia. I’m obsessed with nail polish and baking yummy things. I love following you on various social media sites, and your posts about depression and anxiety always resonate deeply with me.
Hi, Wil! I’m Marguerite, a sci-fi fan since I first started reading, a Trek fan since the 60s, married to my high school sweetheart, mom to two “kids” who are now both married to their own really great life partners, life-long lover of cats and dogs….I truly admire your general creativity, your writing skills, your enthusiastic embrace and support of geek/nerd culture, and the way you encourage people, in your own unique ways, to “be excellent to each other”…. Thanks for being you!
My name is Travis. I’m married with two daughters. I live in a small town called Bewleyville, in Kentucky. And I mean small. Maybe 20 houses and no post office. I’ve always been a huge sci-fi and fantasy nerd. Dungeons and Dragons. Star Wars. Star Trek. DC and Marvel comics. The Lord of the Rings. Other than the town I live in, there’s nothing really original about any of that. So, how about a story?
I bought my house about three years ago, and there have been a few strange occurrences. It was built by my Grandfather’s sister and her husband in the 50’s. After they passed, their daughter and her husband bought it. And then after she passed away, I bought it from her husband. Now, the daughter had cancer and died in the house. Before she passed, she had to have her eye removed due to that cancer. Now, my oldest daughter tried to sleep in her room, but wouldn’t do it. We asked her why, and she said she wakes up during the night and someone is in the room with her watching her sleep. Thinking it was just a dream, we asked who was watching her. She said she didn’t know who it was, but they only had one eye. Now, I didn’t tell her about the lady who lived here, and neither did my wife. My mother thinks she must have just overheard us talking at some point, but it’s just one more weird story in this house.
Merry Christmas, Wil. Merry Christmas, everyone.
I love this idea!
I’m Megan, I live in Canada and I’m married with two little girls (5 & 2). I love to read, knit, and hike in the nearby Rocky Mountains. I work for my local fire department as a geosptial analyst and I love my job.
I grew up watching TNG and I’ve been slowly discovering more and more in the world of science fiction, much to my husband’s displeasure as he really hates the scary episodes.
Megan, are you on Twitter? Can you do me a huge favour? Send me a picture of the view next time you’re off hiking – or if that’s too much, please link me to any pics you may have taken in the past 🙂 I’m getting desperate to escape the city I live in but i sadly don’t have the option right now, so I’m craving vicarious scenery! x
My name is Christa.I’m an at home mom and wife of a house full of Nerds.All with different interests ranging from vid games,comic books,to science.My main hobby is exploring the forest and identifying stuff.Also using things from the wild for tinctures,tea,and soap.I used to collect Marvel comics.Played a lot of fighting games also Final Fantasy games.I loved the 8 bit Dragon Warrior RPG.Also a fan of Phantasmagoria live actor type comp games.Now I mostly try getting my Nerds together to play and try different things.Which your Table Top vids have been helping us with.There’s six of us and only so many can play vid games at a time:DSo though I may not play as much as I did when younger I try to stay involved with the house hold with their interests.With 5 people besides me it’s no easy task.So anyways,Thanks for Table Top.So far everyone really loves Catan.
Greetings! I’m Christi. I married with three crazy preteen/teen boys. I like to kick death’s ass (stage III breast cancer survivor at 33 and H1N1 put me in a coma at 36). We love TableTop, Nerf, video games, and all things geeky. Oh, and I just went back to school for graphic design and I’m loving it! :0)
Ben here. Homebrewer, Linux geek, father, husband, gamer, lazy and can’t stand to be doing nothing. I generally like everything that isn’t stuff I don’t like. Just kegged a Waldo Lake Amber yesterday.
Ok, here’s a bit of me: I am tom. I am a 46 year-old nerd (duh!). I am a very proud husband and father (second time around for both). I have struggled with depression all of my adult life, and then about five years ago it worsened to become completely disabling. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) saved my life, and continues to make all the difference. The courage of people like you and Jenny Lawson and Allie Brosh in being open about your own struggles is so important and inspiring. Thank you for that (in addition to all your awesome nerd-work)!!
My near-paralyzing hesitation to write this surely puts my response very far down the list, but I really do hope that you will see it, and so I humbly offer this:
http://tinyurl.com/WYMNK/
Hi Tom. I hope he does see that; it’s beautiful, and very real, and difficult to talk about i know. I’m glad you did. I confess to being very ignorant on the subject in the past, but I can tell very clearly it’s been worth it for you and I’m happy for you. And I’m happy you’re happy. Thank you for sharing this. X x
Hi Tom! Just wanted to drop in and say you are awesome! Love your poem – your video was great!
Oops! I should have mentioned that it was my lovely wife who created the work that you will find at that link. I guess you could say that my part was only in providing the subject matter. 🙂
Please pass on my thanks to your wife then, she’s made something beautiful here!
Hi Wil –
Thank you for taking the time out to read the comments and to check all those names. You are freaking
awesome. First name Ahlisha.I’ve really bad eyesight but I don’t let it stop me. I sew as a hobby, war gaming with miniatures ancient armies, modern navies,and space battles with BSG, Star Trek, Star Wars ships I paint.:) I play and GM table top RPGs of DnD, GURPS, Pathfinder and others. Currently running an epic campaign Rise of the RuneLords. Enjoy computers,.programmed and old Tandy at 12,built a desktop, fought the mighty modem install.;) and hobbyist
CosPlayer. Attempting my hand at prosthetics. Not bad for a blind person. HA! 🙂